The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 5 April 2023.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the Trust's [governing document], the Companies Act 2006 and "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)" (effective 1 January 2019).
The Trust's objects are:
To relieve persons in conditions of mental or physical distress as a result of criminal behaviour, and also to relieve the financial hardship of such persons;
The rehabilitation of persons who have been convicted of a criminal offence, and the releif of families of such persons who are in conditions of need, hardship or distress;
The relief and rehabilitation of persons suffering from abuse or addictive behaviour;
The provision of facilities for recreation and other leisure time activity for young people, in the interests of social welfare and with a view to improving the conditions of life of such persons;
To help educate young people through their leisure time activities, and so to develop their spiritual, mental and physical capacities that they may grow to full maturity as individuals and members of society;
To preserve and protect the good health of young people by the provision of advisory and counselling services.
The Trust holds fundraising events throughout the year. The income generated is used to make small, targeted grants to local groups that promote the social welfare of some of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged young people and adults in South Devon.
The trustees have given careful consideration to the paid due regard to the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit.
The Trust organised a fundraising event during the year (a talk by Judge Waterworth) to raise funds for the Trust. The funds raised, together with existing cash reserves enabled the trustees to make grants of £2,000 to the Bungalow Youth Project, £1,000 to the Firends of South Devon Academy and £1,600 to the Open Door Cafe, Exmouth.
Income decreased by £4,197 from £6,067 for 2022 to 1,870 due mainly to the receipt of a legacy of £2,687 in 2022.
Grants amounting to £4,600 (2022: £1,440) were awarded in the year from the Total income above and from cash reserves, which are being paid out in anticipation of the winding up of the Trust following the sad death of its founder and main advocate, Juliet Holdsworth.
As a result the Net assets of the Trust have decreased from £6,369 at 5 April 2022 to £2,043 at 5 April 2023. Any remaining cash after settling all known liabilities will be paid out to organisations with similar objects.
Reserves policy
It is the policy of the Trust that unrestricted funds which have not been designated for a specific use should be maintained at a high level in order to be able to pay future grants out of income, and to provide sufficient funds to cover both the costs of generating future funds and support costs.
At 5 April 2023 the Trust had free reserves of £2,043 (2022: £2,833). These reserves will be used to fund grants out of income in future periods.
The Devon Safer Communities Trust was incorporated on 23 July 1999. The Trust is a company limited by guarantee and a registered charity with the number 1080440 (England and Wales).
The trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were:
The Trust has 4 trustees, constituting its Board of Trustees. The board has been discussing the possibility of recruiting new trustees for their experience, skills and knowledge. New trustees may be sought by open advertisement or through dialogues with other institutions with similar objects.
All trustees give their time voluntarily and receive no benefits from the Trust. Any expenses reclaimed by the trustees from the Trust are set out in the notes to the financial statements.
None of the trustees has any beneficial interest in the company. All of the trustees are members of the company and guarantee to contribute £1 in the event of a winding up.
The Trust's report was approved by the Board of Trustees.
I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Devon Safer Communities Trust (the Trust) for the year ended 5 April 2023.
As the trustees of the Trust (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (the 2006 Act).
Having satisfied myself that the financial statements of the Trust are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s financial statements carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act). In carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or
the financial statements do not accord with those records; or
the financial statements do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or
the financial statements have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached.
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
Devon Safer Communities Trust is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is Darnells, Quay House, Quay Road, Newton Abbot, TQ12 2BU.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Trust's [governing document], the Companies Act 2006, FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland” (“FRS 102”) and the Charities SORP "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)" (effective 1 January 2019). The Trust is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
The Trust has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities not to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the Trust. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.
Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the Trust has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement, and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.
Expenditure is classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges are allocated on the portion of the asset’s use.
Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.
Basic financial liabilities, including creditors and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.
Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.
Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
Financial liabilities are derecognised when the Trust’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.
Grants receivable
In 2022 the Trust received a grant of £550 from the Eric F Sparkes Charitable Trust.
Grant making
Grant making
Hire of hall
Insurance
Sundry expenses
Printing and stationery
Grant making
Grant making
Accountancy fees
The average monthly number of employees during the year was:
The charity is exempt from tax on income and gains falling within section 505 of the Taxes Act 1988 or section 252 of the Taxationof Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objects.
There were no disclosable related party transactions during the year (2022: £Nil).